College Football Playoff tiers: Where every Power Four team sits entering Week 6

247Sports • October 6, 2026 • sports

Key Points:

The College Football Playoff (CFP) race is intensifying as conference play begins, with Power Four conferences now playing nine league games, reducing opportunities for teams to recover from losses.
Currently, only 13 Power Four teams remain undefeated, while 32 out of 68 teams have suffered at least two losses, making it critical for many teams to win all remaining games to stay in CFP contention.
Week 6 features just two Top 25 matchups, highlighted by Alabama hosting Georgia in a key SEC clash, and UCLA visiting Oregon in a Pac-12 rivalry game, both important for résumé building.
Teams are categorized into five tiers based on their CFP prospects: favorites, on the bubble, still work to do, longshots needing help, and eliminated, reflecting their current standing and challenges in reaching the 12-team playoff field.
This analysis focuses on the evolving landscape of the CFP race and the varying degrees of difficulty teams face as they approach the crucial second half of the season.

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